Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
Professor Benjamin Tan is the Head of School (Nursing) in the Faculty of Health, providing leadership in capacity building in learning and teaching, scholarship, and research and research training in the School spanning six locations across Australia. He is an Adjunct Professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Southwest Medical University Hospital. Benjamin currently leads the Charles Darwin Centre for Evidence-Based Practice and the Mental Health and Supportive Care Research Group at CDU Faculty of Health.
Benjamin’s interdisciplinary programs of research focus on empirical development and evaluation of evidence-based supportive care interventions for cancer symptom management. He and his interdisciplinary research team have developed and sustained intensive linkages with collaborators in Australia, HKSAR, Singapore, the UK, and China Mainland, which have so far resulted in over 120 high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference presentations, as well as more than 28 funded projects with a total award exceeding AUD$2.9 million.
Benjamin's research has been adopted in numerous international and national practice guidelines, including those developed by the European Society for Medical Oncology, the American College of Chest Physicians, Cancer Care Ontario, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the US Department of Veterans Affairs/Department of Defense, China Anti-Cancer Association, and the US Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
Professor Benjamin Tan would be willing to accept PhD and Master by Research students in areas of cancer symptom management, integrative medicine, and evidence-based practice for chronic disease management.
Selected Research Awards (as Lead Chief Investigator or Chief Investigator)
2023-2027. Clinical effects and cost-effectiveness of an evidence-based Tai chi intervention for breast cancer symptom management: A Phase III RCT. DES Doctoral Fellowship with Tuition Waiver (Supervisor-Initiated), AUD$≈240,000.00
2023-2025. Exploring Approaches to clinical incident analysis within healthcare: a scoping review and ethnography study. JBI Brighter Futures Grant Program, AUD$25,000.00
2023-2024. Supporting the academic success of pregnant and parenting students. HEPPP Fund allocated by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, AUD$100,000.00
2022-2026. Acupressure for the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster in breast cancer: A three-arm, sham-controlled, randomized trial. CDIPS Doctoral Fellowship with Tuition Waiver (Supervisor-Initiated), AUD$≈200,000.00
2022-2024. Improving success and retention of undergraduate nursing students from regional and remote areas in Australia. HEPPP Fund allocated by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, AUD$300,000.00
2021-2025. A primary care clinician-led symptom management program for breast cancer survivors. CSFP (allocated by Federal Government), AUD$193,000.00
2021-2023. An evidence-based clinical protocol of fatigue-anorexia-cachexia clustering in advanced cancer. HKPU New Recruits Grant, HKD$400,000.00
2021-2023. Behavioural activation treatment for depressive symptoms in young people with emerging or early psychosis. CSFP (allocated by Federal Government), AUD$171,000.00
2021-2023. GP and nurse-led telehealth-based intervention for improving cardiovascular health in breast cancer survivors with cardiovascular diseases. Start-Up Grant for Outstanding Future Researcher, AUD$30,000.00
2020-2022. The impact of risk perceptions on precautionary behaviours towards COVID-19 among health care workers and general population in Singapore and globally. NUS COVID-19 Research Seed Grant, SGD$100,000.00
2020-2021. Massage therapy for breast cancer symptom cluster management: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial. CDU Institute of Advanced Studies Rainmaker Scheme Grants, AUD$20,000.00
2019-2021. Acupuncture for joint symptoms in breast cancer: A randomized controlled trial. HKPU-SMUH Collaborative Research Project, HKD$101,459.00
2019-2021. Resistance inspiratory muscle training for breathlessness in lung cancer patients. HKPU-SMUH Collaborative Research Project, HKD$105,657.00
2018-2022. Somatic acupressure for breast cancer symptom cluster. CDU Institute of Advanced Studies Rainmaker Scheme Grants, AUD$60,000.00
2018-2021. Effects of traditional respiratory exercise on inflammatory process in COPD patients. Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, CNY¥100,000.00
2015-2017. Medicated food for chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis: Role of TLR4/NF-κB pathway. NSFC, CNY¥230,000.00
2015-2016. Doctoral research attachment program at the University of Manchester, UK. HKPU, Grant Awardee, HKD$21,250.00
2014-2017. Ear acupressure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Fully Funded Doctoral Project, HKPU School of Nursing, HKD$531,600.00
2014-2016. Medicated food for chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis: Role of the “ERK/MAPK” pathway. NSFC, CNY¥160,000.00
2012-2016. Traditional six-character respiratory exercise for COPD management: Role of PPARγ and PGC-1α. NSFC, CNY¥240,000.00
2011-2014. Food therapy for chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis. Fujian Science and Technology Department Fund, CNY¥30,000.00
Research Degree Supervision at CDU
PhD Supervision
2023-Ongoing. PhD. Effective clinical leadership for nurses and midwives within a rural context. Principal Supervisor
2023-Ongoing. PhD. Family psychoeducational intervention to improve antidepressant adherence in major depressive disorder. Principal Supervisor
2023-Ongoing. Clinical effects and cost-effectiveness of Tai chi for breast cancer symptom management: A Phase III RCT. DES Award. Associate Supervisor
2022-Ongoing. PhD. Acupressure for the fatigue-sleep disturbance-depression symptom cluster in breast cancer survivors. CDIPS Award. Principal Supervisor
2021-Ongoing. PhD. Breathing exercise for chronic pain management in breast cancer. Australian Government RTP Award. Principal Supervisor
2020-Ongoing. PhD. Ghanaian midwives’ experiences of accessing pre-eclampsia management CPD. Australian Government RTP Award. Principal Supervisor
2022-2023. PhD. Kegel, pelvic floor muscle strength and resistance training for women with stress urinary incontinence. Acting Principal Supervisor (Completed)
2019-2023. PhD. Traditional exercise program for breast cancer symptom cluster management. Australian Government RTP Award. Principal Supervisor (Completed)
Research Masters & UG Hons Supervision
2023-Ongoing. MRes. Settlement outcomes for African migrants in the Northern Territory. Associate Supervisor
2022. MPH. Attitudes and perceptions on advance care planning among Chinese speaking older Australians living in Sydney. Associate Supervisor (Completed)
2022. BN-Hons. Music therapy for alleviating anxiety and depression in breast cancer survivors. Principal Supervisor (Completed)
2022. BN-Hons. Australian registered nurses’ roles in patient-centred care in long-term care facilities. Associate Supervisor (Completed)
Education/Academic qualification
PhD Attachment Program, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
PhD in Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
External positions
Research Standing Committee Member, Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA)
2023 → …
International Advisory Group Member, Complementary in Therapies Clinical Practice [ISSN 1744-3881]
2023 → …
Adjunct Professor in Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HKPU)
2022 → 2024
Topic Editor (Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention), Frontiers in Oncology [ISSN 2234-943X]
2022
Strategic Advisory Committee Member, Australasian Nursing and Midwifery Clinical Trials Network
2022 → …
Professorial Advisory Council Member, Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA)
2022 → …
Member and Charles Darwin University Representative, Council of Deans Nursing and Midwifery (Australia and New Zealand)
2022 → …
Associate Editor/Editorial Board Member in Cancer Palliative Care Section, BMC Palliative Care [ISSN 1472-684X]
2022 → …
Academic Editor, PLOS One [ISSN 1932-6203]
2021 → 2023
Editorial Board Member, European Journal of Oncology Nursing [ISSN 1462-3889]
2020 → …
Committee Member and Lead Role Researcher (Northern Territory and Queensland State Group), Cancer Nurses Society of Australia (CNSA)
2019 → …
University Hospital Adjunct Professor, Southwest Medical University Hospital
2018 → …
International Review Panel Member (Research Grants), The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International
2018 → …
Visiting Doctoral Researcher in Nursing, The University of Manchester
2016
Doctoral Training Fellow/Postdoctoral Fellow in Nursing, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
2014 → 2018
Research Secretary/Graduate Assistant Lecturer/Associate Lecturer/Lecturer, School of Nursing, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2011 → 2018
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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A primary care clinician-led symptom management program for breast cancer survivors: Intervention development and validation
Tan, P. B., Molassiotis, A., Bressington, D., Moore, S., Liu, D., Wang, A., Yao, L., Wang, D., Eliseeva, S. & Polotan, M. J.
1/10/21 → 31/03/25
Project: Research
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CSFP - Behavioural Activation (BA) for Depressive Symptoms in young people with emerging or early psychosis: a pilot study
Bressington, D., Byrne, M., Gray , R., Tan, P. B., Jones, M., Mitchell, D., Brown , E., Creek, R. & Dennis , S.
1/10/21 → 30/09/23
Project: Research
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General practitioner and nurse-led telehealth-based self-management intervention for improving cardiovascular health in breast cancer survivors with cardiovascular diseases: Intervention development and pilot testing
Liu, D., Tan, P. B., Wang, A., Stewart, S., Eliseeva, S., Polotan, M., Willis, K. & Bressington, D.
18/07/22 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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Improving success and retention of undergraduate nursing students from regional and remote areas in Australia
Liu, D., Tan, P. B., Bressington, D., Wikander, A., Wang, A. & Nic Giolla Easpaig, B.
1/01/22 → 31/12/24
Project: Research
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A socioecological description of the influencing factors to midwives’ management of preeclampsia in a Ghanaian tertiary hospital
Garti, I., Gray, M., Bromley, A. & Tan, B., Sept 2023, In: PLoS One. 18, 9 September, p. 1-16 16 p., e0291036.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Attitudes and Perceptions on Advance Care Planning Among Chinese-Speaking Older Australians
Yeoh, L. H., Tan, B., Rhee, J. & Sinclair, C., 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. p. 1-10 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Barriers and enablers to implementing clinical practice guidelines in primary care: An overview of systematic reviews
Wang, A., Tan, J-Y., Liu, D. & Zhao, I., 6 Jan 2023, In: BMJ Open. 13, 1, p. 1-19 19 p., e062158.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Behavioural activation for depressive symptoms in young people with emerging or early psychosis: A pilot study protocol
Byrne, M. K., Easpaig, B. N. G., Gray, R., Creek, R., Jones, M., Brown, E., Mitchell, D., Zhai, J., Tan, J. Y., Denis, S. & Bressington, D., Jan 2023, In: PLoS One. 18, 1, p. 1-16 16 p., e0280559.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile9 Downloads (Pure) -
Development and Validation of an Evidence-Based Breathing Exercise Intervention Protocol for Chronic Pain Management in Breast Cancer Survivors
Wang, H., Wang, A., Tan, J-Y., Bressington, D., Zheng, S-L., Liu, D. & Huang, H., Jun 2023, In: Pain Management Nursing. 24, 3, p. 357-364 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access